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After Third Straight Win, Hawks On a Roll

HAMBURG, NY – In a close game of multiple scoring spurts, Hilbert College held on for a 13-12 non-conference win over La Roche College in men’s lacrosse on a very cold and very windy April 20. Hilbert had more offensive weapons than La Roche as nine different Hawks beat the visiting keeper. Sean Putill earned game high points (7) and he and La Roche’s Dustin Reykdal shared goal scoring honors (3) on the day. The Hawks move to 7-3 overall and La Roche suffered their ninth loss in ten tries.

Hilbert’s defense was solid against the RedHawks as Kyle Mackowiak caused four turnovers and grabbed a game-high eight ground balls. Roland Jimerson was aggressive in the back field causing three turnovers and scooping up five ground balls in the process. William Wagner was credited with 3 saves between the pipes for Hilbert to push his win total to seven games.

Three different players from each team put points on the board to knot the game a 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. La Roche struck first in the second period before the Hawks hit back to back scores by Kane and Purtill. Their 5-4 lead quickly changed to a 7-5 deficit when the RedHawks beat William Wagner for three straight scores over a course of four minutes. Hilbert responded with three hits of their own to close the half up by one (8-7).

Hilbert held a 3-1 goal advantage in the third quarter and after Kane scored at 12:36 to open the fourth quarter, the hosts held their largest lead of the game 12-8. As the game progressed and penalty minutes began to pile up for both teams, man advantages led to easy scores. Three of La Roche’s four 4th quarter goals were off man-up opportunities with their final goal of the game 1:44. La Roche had a chance to tie the game at 00:16 but their shot went wide and Hilbert carried the ball the length of the field and shot it high in the air as time expired.

Hilbert held a 49-28 advantage in shots and dominated the face-off restarts, gaining 20 more offensive opportunities.

The 7-3 start for the men’s lacrosse team is the best start for the three-year old program. The Hawks (3-1) are currently in 2nd place in the NEAC league and they have two important league games coming up next week. Hilbert hosts cross-town rival and NEAC foe, Medaille College (4-2) April 23 and a rescheduled game against Wells College on April 25th. Stop by, support your Hawks and be sure to dress for the unpredictable weather!

Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 1,100 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs and new Accelerated Degree Programs geared to adult learners.